Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone,

First off, so sorry I haven't been posting lately, I'm just so overwhelmed with school at the moment. Well, my career has taken my all over the U.S. and along the coast, as I am studying in the field of marine biology- Specifically Mammalogy and Herpetology. Now, I have been moved to Sannibel Island, FL- Sort of as an apprentice. I'm going to be living in a more upscale apartment complex, which of course strictly prohibits animals. After talking to the landlord for well over an hour, I persuaded him to allow me to keep one reptile. Only ONE!

I feel so bad leaving either a Panther or Veiled chameleon behind, or two Crested Geckos. I just don't know which one to take, as I have grown attached to each one and all of their curious little antics. I think Ive decided to take Cobalt, as I am the most attached to him, and have had him for so long. I just don't know what to do with Capuchi- The veiled chameleon, or either of the Crested Gecko's. Capuchi is only 6 months old, and I don't want just anyone to have him (I'm just such a choosy mother, lol) Any suggestions on how someone experienced would be able to have them? I'm planning on selling him on the classifieds, but price doesn't matter to me. Ughh...I feel terrible...

Michele
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1.0 Ambanja/Nosy Be Panther Chameleon (Cobalt)
1.0 Turqoise Veiled (Capuchi)
1.1 Crested Geckos (Mocha and Latte)

Do you need someone to "foster them" until you can get set up or a permanent home for them??

That sucks, I don't know what I would do????? Hide them under my bed probably.....
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Feenie

Sheesh!! Can't you just sneak them in under your coat?? How does the landlord feel about fish tanks? Get someone to pet sit til you move in the if anyone sees you moving a tank in just tell them its for fish. As for a chameleon cage,, hmmm won't hold water, not sure how to convince him thats for fish. Wish I were closer, I'd offer to pet sit til you move or convince him to let you keep your pets. Not like they, bark, screech, "mark" the carpets,, etc etc,,. Hope you make out ok. L
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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Jimi)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

Yeah- I WISH this was only temporary, but I'll be in this apartement for at LEAST two years finshing up school. That's a bit too long for petsitting, and I don't know if hiding them under my bed would cut it! LOL I just want them to be as comfortable as possible, and I'll be moving in about two weeks or so.

So...I guess I am looking to move them into a permanent home- Hahaha, Thanks for the support and the pet-sitting offers, I really wish I could keep them...

Michele

So sorry to hear about your soon to be loss. I don't know about everyone else, but I know I would love to pet-sit some crested's for a couple years. Good luck with everything and I hope it works out for you.

my heart breaks for you!!!! I got weepy reading your post I just cannot imagine having to make this decision! I never have understood the objection from landlord's - nthey make a lot less "mess" than other animals!

With the replies so far htis is my suggestion...yes, 2 years id a long time for someone to "foster" your herps, but considering how well we all know your chams (uh, yes, and you, too ) fostering might just be an option. It is not like you have 30 pets to adopt out, it is just a couple of cresties and one cham. My guess is you could find one or two people right here to foster them - FlammySnake has already offered to care for the cresties At the end of the 2 years you can decide what to do.

One more thought....could there be someone in your department at school (either on or off campus) who could house them for a couple years, this way you would still have access. Where are you going to school? Sanibel is lovely!!

I really hope this works out for you!!

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

Yeah, I am sure that anyone who loves thier own reptiles would be willing to keep yours for you for any amount of time you would need them to. That way you would not have to sell them. If you made arrangements soon, you could have them comfy with foster homes till you could take them home again!!!

Thanks so much everyone for the support! This really means so much to me! Well, Ive been thinking it over, and somehow or another, I think we could make this work. I don't have to be in Florida until March 21st, and I am seriously considering a foster home.

I'm going to contact the Landlord, and perhaps "shmooze" him into allowing me to keep the chameleons and gecko's in the apartment, as there are more pros than cons about them than any other pet in my opinion. Ive been calling friends lately, and Ive got a few 'maybe' responses, but they just don't seem to be as enthusiastic as all of us on the forums! There is the chance I may take up permanent residence, or at least for 5 years, in a Sanibel apartment, in which the chameleons and geckos may become a problem, than there is always the chance it may take less than 2 years before I move from Sanibel. If only I could predict the future...

Anyhow, Thanks so much- Especially Lele- Oh, by the way, I attend MSU (Michigan State University) they have an excellent Marine Biology profesor, and I was moved as an intern to Sanibel, to finish up college studying dolphins, manatee's, sea turtles, and sea snakes. I really enjoy it.

So...I think I'm going to start looking out for foster homes, and again, I really can't express my gratitude for everyone's support!

Michele

Wow! Nice! Congrats on the internship! You should give me your address once you settle in. My Mom lives in Venice and I am due for a visit later in the year. My brother and sis-in-law love Sanibel and Captiva and visit there (from NY) when they visit Mom. Hope you like the heat

Has your landlord given specific reason for objections? I mean hell, herps are all over the place down there! Maybe you can say they are part of your study!?!?! Does he realize they are not monitors or pythons and fit nicely in reasonably size cages?? lol!

I have a (step)brother in Venice who used to keep lots of herps (he had the first "true" chameleon I'd ever seen as a little kid) but not sure if he would be willing to take any on. I could ask if you really get stuck let me know.

Michigan...Florida BIG changes! I did NY to FL and within 4 years ran back north and can't seem to get far enough - considering Canada!

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

You really have 2 options here....

Option A: Just keep one there (temporary) and somehow confirm that he knows you have one and only one. Then, he won't know about you moving the rest in at 1AM the following night, and since he's seen just one there, he won't feel the need to verify that again. Keep it on the downlow, windows generally closed, and make sure he's not coming back for periodical inspections (some college housing does monthly inspections.... I know cause I've had to hide stuff like this before every month on the 14th).

Option B: A few days before you show up there, call him back putting on your best seductive voice. Ask again about keeping "a few" in the apartment. Remind him how clean they are, and that they take up no space (whether they do or not). Crickets? Naw, these are veggie eaters. You may even (as a last resort) need to show up there in his office one afternoon and flash a little leg. Just some ideas. If it doesn't work, fall back to option A.

Come on people.... No more "find a foster home" ideas.... It's only a landlord!
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

you know, that is very true.

i was only allowed to have one dog at my last rental house.... i ended up having two dogs of my own, and fostering another dog for a week, a foster cat for a month, and a second foster cat for 6 months. (the fosters were all over the course of a year, not all at the same time, lol).

i also had an assortment of critters on my sig below. although the iguanna and male chameleon stayed at my boyfriends apartment. the leasing people never came by, and when they did it was because i called them for a problem. so i had time to hide/remove everything for the moment

i dont know how strict your realitor is but herps and tanks are easy to get away with. dogs you have to always walk and cats are always in the window sills, LOL.

good luck!

rachel
In Depth Information On Aquatic Frogs

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4.3 African Clawed Frog
3.3 Calfornia Newt
0.1 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
1.2 Veiled Chameleon
0.1 Albino Cranwells Horned Frog
0.1 Paddle Tail Newt
0.1 Green Iguana
0.5.0 Indonesian Floating Frog
0.1.0 Blizzard Leopard Gecko

Hey,

While reading this thread, I was thinking the exact same thing Tyler was; lol, he beat me to the punch.

As Tyler was saying, the landlord doesnt know the husbandry of chameleons. Just tell him that they are very small, harmless lizards that can't move very fast at all. You may want to consider bringing one down with you when you go to speak with him. He is either going to hate it and it will blow your chances, or more likely, he will see how harmless they are and fall in love with them. As Tyler was also saying, just tell him that you feed them lettuce; no bugs what so ever. Show him that they don't take up much space at all.

Another idea I just thought of- I am not positive, but can't chameleons stay outside year long in FL? Of course you will have to be careful that they don't get stolen or anything.

Oh, btw, if you are gonna try Tyler's idea of "flashing some leg" I can't think of anybody better to do it than you. Lmao.

Best of luck, and let us know what happens.

Adam.

how exactly would you know that ChamCham05 flashes a good leg??? hmmmmmmm. I'm thinking.........dangerous I tell ya!!
Well... explain yourself young man... We are very protective of our girls.
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Feenie

Quote: Oh, btw, if you are gonna try Tyler's idea of "flashing some leg" I can't think of anybody better to do it than you. Lmao.

I'm not too sure about this one.... Feeniee has shown herself to flash one heck of a leg.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

........

Don't make me post those naked pictures of you on K.S.
Although............it might boost your sales....hmmmmmmm, let me think on this one..
good night everyone...
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Feenie

I'm not too worried about it... We've got some good mods here on Kingsnake. Those kinda pics wouldn't last long.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

I don't know Tyler, if they are that GOOD, we moderators may just leave em, hehehehhehee LMAO

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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Oh they are trust me..... Superman Cape and a birthday suit. Need I say more?
LOL j/k everyone... if I did have naked pics of Mr. Bluebeast I would have shared them by now
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Feenie

WOW! My one little commentabout flashing the leg really got way out of hand!!! LMAO.

Adam.

Tell th elandloard they'll stay outside, year round. He'll never know they're inside.

Hey, don't know about the geckos but try 'free roaming' the cham. That way you can say "gee, I don't know how it got in here, I LOVE plants and I left the window open, it must have come in on its own." Tell him the lights are good for the plants. Or as mentioned flash and leg,, or,, i hate to say it,, CRY!!!!! have a complete breakdown right in front of him,, hehehe, sorry guys! Lo
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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Jimi)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

Well, guys, all I can determine from reading these posts is:
Adam must "get" around-we had posts about his dong a few weeks ago and now he's pimping Cobalt's mommy so the other "kids" can come along when she moves! Naughty Adam!
Tyler sounds like he has experience with eye batting and leg flashing-What's that all about? LOL
But..seriously, I hope the landlord will reconsider your situation based on the facts. and as a back-up plan an outdoor enclosure may persuade him to relent a little. Everyone in your building would fall in love with your chams!
Good luck..my fingers are crossed for your landlord to have a heart! Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Well-well-well, you guys are just TOO funny! I was Laughing so hard at ALL of your posts! Hehehehe

So...After 'accumilating' all of your ideas, I called the landlord up this morning, and put on my best pleading voice possible. He said "I don't want those green little lizards running around." and I said "...Sir, I think youve confused anoles with chameleons." LOL- He thought I was bringing anoles in, and he said he has trouble trying to keep them out. I had to describe a chameleon and all it's features to him, and I sent him a couple pics via email. He was a little hesitant at first, but than he finally agreed to let them ALL stay!

I am just SO happy, you guys have helped soooooo much! Now I don't have to send them away, and I don't have to "flash a little leg" HAHAHA LMAO- That really would have been my last resort though.

Michele

Oh, by the way LELE I'll send you the adress as soon as I arrive in Sannibel! Thanks again-

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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Jimi)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

Did you also tell him, that some chams also "hunt" anole?? LOL, I've heard of it.
Well I'm glad everything worked out for you!! And you didn't have to flash a leg, or cry. Good thing you're a girl, cuz if you did have to resort to that and you were a guy............. Well, YOU may not have been allowed to stay at all!!!!
Keep us updated on everything and don't be such a stranger!!

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Feenie

It's so good to hear you found a solution and get to keep all those friends of yours. Good luck in moving!

That had crossed my mind (the anole confusion) and was going to ask. It so it is great that you were able to "enlighten" him. My guess is you'll be sending us pics of of the landlord holding Cobalt on one arm and Capuchi on the other!
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

I'm glad you tried a little enlightenment and vocal persuasion BEFORE the "leg flashing". LOL I'm really happy for you all. Sanibel is beautiful. Be sure to eat at Matzeluna and watch out for the gators! Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

AWESOME, your life is certainly Looking wonderful, awesome future, very interesting working with critters

Best wishes, in your new locale/Home and Job, Many Blessings to ya kido, I'm thrilled you can take everybody!
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Hey,

That is good to hear Michele. I had a feeling he didn't know what a real chameleon was. I remember when I was 11 years old and was first looking for a chameleon to buy, I was calling pet stores. The first one I called told me that they were selling "chameleons" for 5 bucks. I was at the pet store in the next 10 minutes looking around the store for them!!! COuldn't find them anywhere, and an employee eventually showed me the "chameleon tank". I was so sad when I saw they were anoles!!! Then he even tryed to convince me that they were "real" chameleons. LOL, once I started talking about scientific names and genuses and such, he was baffled and didn;t know what a "real chameleon" was anymore. Anyway, good luck with the new apartment Michele, and keep in touch.... Ttyl.

-Adam.

That is really great. I know how you felt because when I moved into our apartment I was pregnant. I had ten birds. I love birds and herps... anyway, I had to get rid of my babies because of the dust and feathers I miss them and they all went to good homes.... so I felt good at least about that and I get to hear all the time how they are. Your job sounds great. I was going to go into Zoology and I also thought about Microbiology. Keep us informed of how you are. I know I am new to chams but it's nice to hear how everyone is doing with stuff. Since I am a stay at home mom, this forum is great for conversation..lol

How about some leg flashing anyways? Towards a camera with photos posted here Besides you are moving in the wrong direction, I live up NORTH!

Good thing you get to keep your beauties!
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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS